The 2nd Philippine Book Festival comes to the World Trade Center Manila in April 2024

(Photo credit : Philippine Book Festival Facebook page) There’s now more than one book fair to watch out for, bookworms! The first Philippine Book Festival was held last year in two venues: Manila (June 2023) and Davao (August 2023). Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), it brought together purely local talents and publishers… Read More The 2nd Philippine Book Festival comes to the World Trade Center Manila in April 2024

March 9, 2024September 1, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

All’s Fair in Love and Work: A Romance Set in the Philippine Publishing World

I love romance books. There was a time I used to read nothing but romance. I read romance back when it was looked down upon, so my book club friends and I took to wrapping those bodice ripper covers in opaque wrapping paper. (Today, if you dare raise an eyebrow at romance readers, it’s YOU… Read More All’s Fair in Love and Work: A Romance Set in the Philippine Publishing World

March 7, 2024 ex.libris.philippines2 Comments

Book Launch: Anvil Publishing’s “Ten Talks, Ten Cities” by Merlee Cruz-Jayme

(Photo credit from the Anvil Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnvilPublishingInc ) Merlee Cruz-Jayme is a multi-awarded CEO, international speaker, and creative director who has written a book of essays on advertising and branding. The book launch will be held at Book Nook, Level 3 Atrium, SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Registration begins at 4:00… Read More Book Launch: Anvil Publishing’s “Ten Talks, Ten Cities” by Merlee Cruz-Jayme

March 6, 2024September 1, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Book Launch: Exploding Galaxies’ “The Three Cornered Sun” by Linda Ty – Casper

(Photos borrowed from their Instagram: Exploding Galaxies (@exploding_galaxies) The second book published by local imprint EXPLODING GALAXIES will be launched at Everything’s Fine Bookshop in Salcedo Village, Makati, on March 16, 2024, Saturday, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Instagram followers of EXPLODING GALAXIES are invited to attend. With every purchase of Linda Ty-Casper’s “The Three-Cornered… Read More Book Launch: Exploding Galaxies’ “The Three Cornered Sun” by Linda Ty – Casper

March 6, 2024September 1, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Reading Tinio on His Birthday

This was my first book from Everything’s Fine’s REQUIRED READINGS series, and I enjoyed the experience so much, I look forward to collecting the others! Short enough to be read over a prolonged coffee, but offering a lot to mull over… it’s perfect for that quick read-and-reflect break over a weekend. This particular slim volume… Read More Reading Tinio on His Birthday

March 5, 2024March 7, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Ambeth Ocampo, Binondo, and A Walk with Heroes

Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, prides itself as being a center of our nation’s colorful history. Established in 1594, it is, as one would expect, steeped in legend and stories. That day’s walking tour (Jose Rizal’s Binondo) led by the country’s popular and social media-savvy historian, Ambeth R. Ocampo, explored what is not… Read More Ambeth Ocampo, Binondo, and A Walk with Heroes

March 5, 2024September 19, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Can this book replace Noli and Fili in our classrooms?

“The time of the great West has passed. Now it is the time for the East to rise from the shadows.” There has been a movement over the past few decades, a call to replace Jose Rizal’s NOLI ME TANGERE (nicknamed Noli) and EL FILIBUSTERISMO (Fili) in the school curriculum with this book. When I… Read More Can this book replace Noli and Fili in our classrooms?

February 22, 2024March 7, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Of Book Clubs and Beginnings

It is little known outside Ex Libris that this book club was founded by music and architecture majors during their university years at UP Diliman. On a trip to the capital last month, the music section of Ex Libris was able to convene whilst the architecture section was excellently acknowledged through the venue — The… Read More Of Book Clubs and Beginnings

February 22, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment

Exploding Galaxies’ Pioneer Publication: But For The Lovers

“Lei the lovers. Petal all passion. Garlanded thus, the world was tolerable.” Exploding Galaxies‘ pioneer publication is an under-appreciated masterpiece, by any measure, that sets such a high expectation for their succeeding titles. Where do we sign up to pre-order Book 2? The multi-sensory pleasure begins when one picks up the book. Exploding Galaxies is… Read More Exploding Galaxies’ Pioneer Publication: But For The Lovers

February 22, 2024September 10, 2024 ex.libris.philippines2 Comments

The Brilliance of Gregorio C. Brillantes

“For certain things, like love, there was only so much time.” There are authors who are put in the canon for a reason, whose works are analyzed and studied by English majors for generations. Reading Gregorio Brillantes’ 500 page collection of 39 short stories is just like seeing the past 90 years of Philippine history… Read More The Brilliance of Gregorio C. Brillantes

February 22, 2024September 10, 2024 ex.libris.philippinesLeave a comment